Tacoma veterans’ nurse wins $2.7 million in the lottery

Donald Pierce works in Seattle’s Veteran Affairs hospital and has been taking care of veterans for more than 32 years.

“The caregiver is in shock and is frequently emotional after winning $2.7 million playing Washington’s Lottery,” read a news release …

Donald checked his ticket at the Fred Meyer in Tacoma and saw a ticket machine read, ‘Jackpot.’ Thinking it was probably a $1,000 winner, he handed it to the customer service representative — who told him he won Lotto. Standing in a customer service line surrounded but other customers, he broke down in tears of joy and disbelief. “I felt every emotion you could feel!” recalled Donald through tears the next morning at the Lottery office. He went on to say that he just couldn’t believe it and had to check several times to make sure. “It was fantastic!” he said. Donald’s son Brandon was with him at the time and said people around them were cheering and congratulating them.

Pierce told lottery officials he wants to pay bills and save for his son’s college education — and maybe take a trip to Disneyland, he told lottery officials. But he doesn’t plan to quit his job.